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The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

957 Words4 Pages

An Analysis of Themes in The Kite Runner If a story has no theme, then what is its purpose? According to the Britannica Dictionary, a theme is “the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc”. A theme is a story's main point; often, stories have multiple themes. The same is displayed in The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, as numerous themes intertwine within the novel. Hosseini’s novel follows the lives of Amir and his father Baba along with their servants, Hassan and his father Ali. The novel mainly follows Amir specifically, and the events that occurred in his life that led to him moving to California despite growing up in Afghanistan. Through Hosseini’s incredible writing in The Kite Runner, …show more content…

Amir is constantly in search of redemption after he witnessed Hassan’s rape. Instead of helping Hassan through the issue, Amir avoided confrontation and framed Hassan, forcing Hassan and Ali to move away. As a result of this, Hassan was killed and Amir never received the closure he needed to make their situation right. Rahim Khan offers an opportunity for redemption when he asks Amir to come to Afghanistan, claiming that “‘There is a way to be good again’” (Hosseini 192). Rahim Khan says this to Amir to show how there is a chance for Amir to make things right between him and Hassan in some way. After Amir comes to Pakistan, Rahim Khan informs him that he has to go rescue Hassan’s son, Sohrab, who is in an orphanage in Afghanistan. Amir initially declines, asking why someone else can’t take the venture and even offers to pay, to which Rahim Khan responds “‘It isn’t about money, Amir!...I’m a dying man and I will not be insulted! It has never been about money with me, you know that. And why you? I think we both know why it has to be you, don’t we?’” (Hosseini 221). Rahim Khan knows about the rape incident with Hassan and through this quest, Amir will seek redemption. He will be able to make up for his past mistakes with Hassan by rescuing his son. Hosseini uses the theme of redemption to show how one can make amends for past mistakes, but seeking redemption is not always

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The Kite Runner is a brilliant book by Khaled Hosseini. This novel tells the story of a Pashtun family and their Hazara servants. Amir, who is the narrator, witnesses an event that becomes a pivotal moment in his life that leaves him with a vast amount of guilt. After Ali and Hassan leave, Baba and Amir escape to America in hopes of having a better life. Amir is forced to grow up much faster, so he can take care of his father, and meets the daughter of General Taheri, Soraya; eventually they get married.

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After Amir meets with Rahim Khan and knows the fact that Hassan’s son, Sohrab, was in the orphanage, it is time for him to seek redemption. Amir decision of bring Sohrab to Pakistan is because of not only Rahim Khan’s request but also a way to be good again. It is his first active step he takes towards atoning for his past and it demonstrates Amir’s first conscious decision to think of another before himself, even it means risking everything he has, including his life and the welfare of his family. Amir now understands that he can endeavour to gain redemption by sacrificing himself to rescue Sohrab. As Amir continues to find Sohrab and tries to save him from Assef, he is willing to sacrifice himself for a chance to get Sohrab back.

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After finding out Rahim was dying and going to Peshawar, Amir learns that Hassan and his wife had recently been executed. Hassan's son was left alone and orphaned, and when Rahim asking Amir to save the child Amir pleaded that “ Kabul is a dangerous place, you know that, and you'd have me risk everything..” (221) This is a direct example of Amir letting fear be in control of his life. Throughout his life the guilt from Hassan's assault has hung over his head, but saving Hassan's son would surely balance things.

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After Amir, who is looking for Hassan, sees Hassan get raped by the older group of Afghan boys, Amir is reluctant to stand up for his friend and runs away. He becomes guilty of his act of betrayal and starts to avoid his friend. After getting fed up of his guilt, which emerges from seeing his friend, he asks his dad to go to Jalalabad for vacation. As Amir goes to Jalalabad with his father and other relatives, he is caught up in his guilt, giving him an uneasy ride. Even after moving away from the house for some days, he still feels guilty in their hotel at Jalalabad.

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